Comments and Responses

[Flight 33]

I just wanted to comment to let you know that I'm still enjoying your stories very much. You write in a way that makes your adventures very easy to visualize. As with the last, I eagerly anticipate the next.

Thank you SO much for sharing.

Thank you MsMojo.  I like to get feedback,good or bad, on my stories.  I'm not a writer, and my spelling and grammar need work.  But I enjoy putting my earlier life experiences in print.  Now that I'm getting along in my years I want to put it all down before my mind forgets most of it.  I'll be doing a story on my life in the Philippines.  And then my tour on the USS Enterprise CVAN-65.  And?  Well, we'll see.

[Sandy Eggo]

I have to say the "disclaimer" has my curiosity piqued. Because of history, I know that this is going to take a much more serious turn, but at this point it reminds me of my first "solo trip" out into the big world. Scary and exciting all at the same time. 

The way you describe yourself when you first started getting settled, reminds me of my daughter. She likes to look at things thoroughly before venturing in..be it something easy like a conversation or something more challenging like a new place with new faces. She likes to observe (preferably unnoticed) for a while. I admire that ability..I'm more of a both feet in kinda person lol..but I think that caution is a sign of wisdom.

[Flight 33]

I like what you said about what's to come and caution.  I find wisdom in what you say.
Hoping others will see the big picture from that time as you do.  Thanks.

[Sandy Eggo]

It happened often.  They relive the moment of injury in battle and duty during sleep, and wake up screaming and scare the hell out of all the other patients, who are already on edge themselves.  Including me by now.

I hadn't thought of what this would be like, until I read it here. You see/know stories of people who have suffered trauma and have reoccurring nightmares, but normally, I think of this on an individual scale. I can't imagine having a ward full of people who have had so much trauma. I admit, I'm picturing this like it is in the movies. A long ward w/beds side-by-side, is that right? Did it often cause a "chain reaction"?

You must have nerves of steel by now. LOL

[Flight 33]

From what I remember only in the immediate vicinity.  Usually with cursing and calls for pain medication.  But most of the other patients slept thanks to sleeping meds. 
The wards had a bed capacity of about thirty beds, fifteen on each side.  Room could be made for about two or three more on each side if needed. 
Nerves of steel today?  Hardly.  Back then when young, my training helped me to cope with what I saw.  When young you can be taught just about anything and how to cope with it if instructed correctly. 
But after four years I had had it.  Didn't want to do this type of work anymore. 
Today I'm just as vulnerable as the next person when it comes to coping with matters like this.  Though with refresher courses I guess I could probably do it again if I had to. 
I on occasion  have remembrances of my training in bits and pieces.  Wondering if I might have to call on those bits and pieces someday in an emergency.  Then God help me if I do.  Because its been decades.

[Sandy Eggo]

I'm not trying to get too personal, so if you think that this is a much too personal question to ask, then please don't answer it, but you're not in the medical field anymore?

Personally, I can't imagine doing it for any period of time. The layers of injury and the inability to help someone to return completely to themselves would haunt me. Obviously, you can mend/patch/ the outside, but the inside is a lot tricker and much more difficult process.

Thanks for the added visual btw. I believe I'll wait until you finish your story to ask more questions, because you have a great rhythm going and I don't want to blow it by causing you to jump ahead or to the side. LOL

[Flight 33]

Feel free to ask questions.  I leave out a lot of events and detail cuz it takes a lot of groundwork to set it up and I might bore the reader.  Your questions help me to explain  something I left out, or remember from that distant past.  The little icon was meant kinkda to myself meaning uncertainty about possible reentry into this field. 
No I'm not in the Medical Field anymore.  That ended with my enlistment in '72'.   
I work with a community college district now in clerical duties.  Much better for me.   

[Sandy Eggo]

Just catching up! I haven't commented in a while and wanted to let you know I'm still following along and enjoying your story.

I think I mentioned that I had relatives who had served in other countries during WWII, Korea and Vietnam and the "Me and Jerry Downtown" portion was something that they talked about on a regular basis, usually when they didn't think I was around and didn't know that I eavesdropping.  I always loved to visit the other places through their eyes and got quite an education with those stories 

I agree with you about the medical profession in general. I quite honestly could never do it. You spoke of the special baths and although it was necessary it wasn't easy to do. The miracle of what is accomplished with that type dedication, must be a reward. I'm so happy he recovered fully.